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BNP leader charged with assault

The leader of the British National Party's youth wing, Salford University
student Tony Wentworth, has been charged with common assault after an alleged
attack on a student union leader in March.

Mr Wentworth, 19, allegedly assaulted Chris Tavner, who was the equal
opportunities officer for the Salford students' union at the time, outside the
university's Frederick Road campus during student union election hustings on
March 23.

Mr Tavner was campaigning against Mr Wentworth's attempt to become student
union communications officer, which would have made him editor of the student
newspaper. In the event, Mr Wentworth lost the election with 16 out of a total
of 696 votes.

Mr Wentworth has also been charged with a public order offence in relation to a
separate incident the day after the alleged assault on Mr Tavner.

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: "Following two incidents in
March this year, 19-year-old Tony Wentworth of the Salford area has been
charged with common assault and a Section 4 public order offence.

"Mr Wentworth was charged with common assault following (a commotion with) a
25-year-old man outside Salford University campus on Frederick Road on Tuesday
March 23 2004.

"He has also been charged with a Section 4 public order offence following an
incident on The Crescent in Salford on Wednesday March 24 2004 in which a
21-year-old man was involved." The police said they were still trying to
identify another man who was alleged to have been involved in the second
incident.

Mr Tavner, who studies in the same school as Mr Wentworth, urged the university
to suspend Mr Wentworth over the allegations. The university's refusal to do so
has attracted criticism from staff and students.

Salford explained to Mr Tavner in a letter that "suspension is a sanction that
is used rarely in extreme circumstances" and that under its procedures it must
allow the police time to reach a conclusion before taking any action.

The case highlights growing concerns about how universities should handle what
may be racially charged situations on campus.

Under the Race Relations Amendment Act, institutions are required to "promote
equal opportunity and promote good relations between people of different racial
groups".

Lecturers' union Natfhe said this meant that universities were obliged to clamp
down on all activity by organisations such as the BNP on campus.

But universities are keen to allow free speech and are obliged to teach and
accommodate students regardless of their political views. They have procedures
on harassment and violence to deal with specific incidents.